Online Passport Renewal Photo
The online renewal photo is a digital file you upload. This tool crops your photo, replaces the background with white if you want, and exports a JPG for the upload.
The State Department accepts JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF files between 54 KB and 10 MB, in color and taken within the last 6 months. Passport911 chooses its own export size and exports a 1200 x 1200 JPEG.
- Choose photo
- Adjust
- Check with AI
- Download
Start with a photo of your face
JPG, PNG, WebP or HEIC · drag it here or use the button
Editing happens on your device. When you press “Check with AI”, a reduced copy of the photo is sent to our AI check and is not stored.
Safest option: take the photo in front of a plain white wall.
- Face the camera, with a neutral expression
- Even light, no shadows on the face
- Leave space above the head and below the shoulders
- Remove glasses
How it works
- Choose a recent photo. Pick a front-facing color photo taken within the last 6 months, on a plain background. Editing and measuring happen in your browser.
- Crop and review. Fit the head to 50% to 69% of the photo height and read the report. Fix anything flagged, such as shadows or glasses, by retaking the photo.
- Download the JPG. Download the 1200 x 1200 JPEG and upload it in your online renewal application.
Key facts
| Requirement | Detail |
|---|---|
| File rules | JPG, PNG, HEIC or HEIF; 54 KB to 10 MB[1] |
| Head height | Chin to top of head is 50% to 69% of the photo height (1 to 1 3/8 inches in a 2x2 inch photo).[2] |
| Background | White or off-white, plain, with no shadows, texture or objects.[2] |
| Recency | Color, taken within the last 6 months.[2] |
| What Passport911 exports | Passport911 exports a 1200 x 1200 JPEG. |
Sources
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/online-renewal-photo.html (last reviewed 2026-10-18)
- https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports/how-apply/photos.html (last reviewed 2026-10-18)
Frequently asked questions
What file types does the online renewal photo upload accept?
JPG, PNG, HEIC and HEIF files between 54 KB and 10 MB, in color, taken within the last 6 months.
What file does Passport911 give me?
A 1200 x 1200 pixel JPEG. This export size is Passport911's choice and is not a State Department requirement.
Do the same photo rules apply as for a printed photo?
The head must be 50% to 69% of the photo height against a white or off-white background with no shadows, texture or objects. Glasses must be removed, or a signed doctor's statement provided if that is not possible.
Is my photo uploaded or stored?
Editing and measuring happen in your browser. The AI check runs only when you press “Check with AI”: a reduced copy of the photo is then sent to our server and an AI provider for analysis, and Passport911 does not store it.
Does a passing result mean my photo will be accepted?
No. Passport911 checks your photo against published requirements, but final acceptance is decided by the issuing agency.